Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Per Lindstrand York Hi Flyer

Top balloonist Per Lindstrand says he has not given up on his plans to offertourists the view of a lifetime from 400 feet above York.

Mr Lindstrand, who has captured numerous world records for hot air balloonflights, revealed in November last year that he wanted to launch a tethered,helium-filled HiFlyer balloon from the city centre.

But almost one year on, he has still not yet lodged a planning applicationwith City of York Council, despite suggestions in March that one would besubmitted by the middle of summer and that the balloon might be up andrunning in time for Christmas.

However, Mr Lindstrand said today that he had been working behind the scenesover the past year to secure the best place to site the balloon.

continued..."In a sensitive, historic city like York, we need to find the rightlocation," he said.

He had been in close negotiations with the owner of a particular site, thelocation of which he was unable to disclose at this stage.

But he was confident that the site could be unveiled before the end of theyear, and an application submitted to the council.

He said he hoped the balloon could be up, up and away by next Easter, thestart of York's next tourist season.

York's other attraction which gives tourists a bird's eye view of the city -the Norwich Union Yorkshire Wheel, won permission in January and opened atthe National Railway Museum at Easter, since when it has proved a massivesuccess with tourists, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Per has insisted previously that the balloon will provide a very differentexperience to the wheel, and that the two attractions will complement eachother rather than compete.

He said the balloon would get twice as high as the wheel, and up to 25people in a secure gondola would be able to look down on York Minster,Clifford's Tower and all the city's other great sights.

On a clear day, they would also be able to see 25 miles in every direction.

Per, who is managing director of balloon and airship manufacturersLindstrand Balloons Ltd, based in Shropshire, told The Press last autumnthat York had been chosen ahead of cities such as Edinburgh to be the firstBritish city to host a balloon.

At the time, he said: "York is perfect for it."

Similar balloons are operating at some of the world's greatest touristsites, including Niagara Falls, Victoria Falls, Pompeii and in Barcelona,but Britain has only had one so far, which operates in the summer seasononly in Bournemouth

About Me

A 39 year old man of the people.
Or is that short fat bloke with glasses.
Have been a balloon pilot since 1989 and have just a little over 2k hours in all sorts of things.
Have been very frightened during about 200 of those hours.